Camp Near Falmouth V.A. Feby 21st 1863 My Loved Mary. Two evenings agone I wrote you. What words I used I know not. What thoughts those words were to convey are ever present to my mind.
Clark, Gardner B. – February 19, 1863
Camp near Stonemans Station Va. Army of the Potomac Feby. 19th 1863 My Mary I dont know as I ought to write to night in answer to yours of the 9th inst. – which owing to being on Picket for the last four days. I have but just received for fear I may say what I ought not.
Clark, Gardner B. – February 8, 1863
Camp near Stonemans Station Army of the Potomac Feb. 8th 1863 My Loved Mary. Once more of a Sunday eve I trace my Soldier thoughts on paper to my own Mary at home. Wondering what she is doing and if she thinks her “Soldier” will escape unharmed another eighteen months.
Clark, Gardner B. – January 16, 1863
Camp near Falmouth Jan. 16th 1863 My Own Mary. We are on the eve of another move. whether it is an advance upon the Enemy or a move to more wood is more than I can tell.
Clark, Gardner B. – December 28, 1862
Camp near Falmouth Va Dec. 28th 1862 My Own Mary. I love to receive your letters after the labors of the day are over. They do me more good. then I can sit down and read them. and enjoy them. And perchance answer them.
Clark, Gardner B. – December 18, 1862
Camp near Falmouth Va. Dec. 18th 1862 My Own Mary. The Battle is ended. Burnside defeated, and we are back in our old camp. What do the people say. Who’s to blame. Is it the soldier in the ranks. were they cowardly. Far from that. their bones that even now lie bleaching through the Streets of Fredricksburg and up to the very muzzles of the Traitors guns.
Clark, Gardner B. – December 14, 1862
Fredericksburg V.a. Dec. 14th 1862 My Own Mary. Yours of the 2nd I received last night. I thank you for sending me this sheet of paper and envelope for it enables me to write you. Which otherwise I could not have done. The Battles has raged three days and slight skirmishing to day. Whether it will be renewed before the rise of another sun is to my mind uncertain.
Clark, Gardner B. – December 5, 1862
Camp near Falmouth Va. Dec. 5th 1862 My Own Mary. In what better way can I imploy my time this stormy December eve than by writing to one who although sadly neglected of late occupies more of my thoughts than all other persons or subjects beside. I know of none, and for a subject will take.
Clark, Gardner B. – November 26, 1862
Camp near Falmouth Va. Nov. 26th 1862 My Own Mary. With what pleasure I received your loved epistle of Nov. 16th last eve. none but those who have watched and waited for long weary days and then lain down upon the bosom of Mother Earth for a nights
Clark, Gardner B. – November 4, 1862
Camp near Schneckers Gap Va. Nov. 4th 1862 My Mary. My last prophecy did not prove correct. as you see by “the papers.” Thursday night we broke camp at Sharpsburg and came down to Harpers Ferry and some three miles this side by the next day night. We were some what in doubt whether Washington or Manchester was our destination.
Clark, Gardner B. – October 24, 1862
Camp near Sharpsburg Md. Oct. 24th 1862 My Own Mary. Time in its noiseless flight has brought October almost to a close and the “chill bleak winds of November.” will soon be our boon companions. Old crazy winter is close upon us.
Clark, Gardner B. – October 17, 1862
Camp near Sharpsburg Oct. 17th 1862 My Own Mary. Once more I have a cheering word from my Own My Darling Mary. I have not written very often lately partly because we had no mail for over a week and I wanted to hear before writing
Clark, Gardner B. – October 5, 1862
Camp near Sharpsburg M.D. Oct. 5th 1862 My own Mary. This morning brought me one of your loved missives. Wrote the 28th 29th which with one written the 24th received a day or two ago. are the only ones I have had since coming here. over two weeks ago.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 22, 1862
On the Upper Potomac Sept. 22nd 1862 My Mary. Once more we halt after a great battle long enough for me to commence a few lines to a loved one. We have battled once or twice for a short time since I wrote you but our Pay Calls had not been made out for want of time and I have been engaged on them.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 10, 1862
Fort Cochran, Va. Sept 10th 1862 My Own Loved Mary. Once more near Washington this time for the defence of the City. Fort Cochran is just across the river from Georgetown and in full view of both that place and Washington. I have received five letters from you written while we were on our march from Harrisons Landing the last was dated Aug. 27th
Clark, Gardner B. – September 5, 1862
Halls Hill Va. Sept 5th 1862 My Own Dear Mary. Once more in sight of and near the Capital of the Union. Aug 15th before day light we were on the move to evacuate Harrisons Landing. since then until yesterday we have seen no stopping place. no rest. have had no letters for three long weeks have marched hundreds of miles. fought one of the hardest Battles it has been my fortune to be caught in.
Clark, Gardner B. – August 6, 1862
Harrisons Landing Aug. 6th 1862 My Own Mary. I received your Mothers letter last Saturday and knew before I broke the seal that some thing was the matter with you. I hope you will get able to write me within a few days. it may be because I am selfish but though I may hear just as often from you it is not your hand writing and I know its not your thoughts flowing off at the pens point.
Clark, Gardner B. – August 1, 1862
Harrisons Landing August first 1862 My own dear Mary No one can tell what morrow will bring forth. So I will improve the present. I am thankful that I have a little news to write by it you can see the vigilance of our great Commander. A little past midnight we were some what startled by shell and shot dropping promiscuously from some unseen quarter among us.
Clark, Gardner B. – July 29, 1862
Camp near Harrisons Landing July 29th 1862 My Own Mary. I will have to ask you to over look my negligence in not writing to you oftener. One great reason why I have not written is. I have nothing interesting to write. except the truth, and that I will not write. “for love nor money,” And I venture the assertion. that there is not ten men in this whole Grand Army. will do it.
Clark, Gardner B. – July 28, 1862
Moretown July 28th 1862 Dear Gardner and Mary Yours of the 21 was gladly rec’d I had got very impatient and nervous now I must scold you for you are very naughty and if you live to have children grow up and leave father and mother almost alone
Clark, Gardner B. – July 13, 1862
Harrison Landing Va July 13th 1862 My Mary, Yours of the 6th I received this morning and two or three beside I believe since writing you.
Clark, Gardner B. – July 5, 1862
Camp near City Point Va July 5th 1862 My Own Mary. Many and varied are the scenes I have passed through since the sun dawned on the morning of Thursday the 26th of June.
Clark, Gardner B. – June 25, 1862
Mechanicsville Va. June 25th 1862 My Mary. You will see by the date we have been again on the move. Last Saturday we came back to this place there being SharpShooters enough at Fair Oaks. Gen McCall is in command here
Clark, Gardner B. – June 21, 1862
Grand Rapids June 21st 1862 My Own Loved Gardner, Once more I seat myself to [ ? ] with a loved one although it is only with pen, ink and paper it is much better than in way and I think we should be very thank full that we have this privilege.